OMG another birthday?!

I'm at the age where turning a year older isn't quite as exciting as it used to be. Gone are the milestone celebrations of being able to set foot in a bar and rev the engine of a rental car.

Over the last few months, I've realized that I am mildly afraid of getting older.

Okay, I'm terrified.

It doesn't help my anxiety that in Korea, I am turning 28. No, this isn't some weird time zone phenomenon. Koreans celebrate their first year at birth, so according to my co-teachers and students, I am 28.

Yikes. There's nothing like "skipping" a year to make a girl feel old.

Turning a year older means fine lines are starting to appear around my eyes and I can't recover from a hangover as quickly as I could at 22. It means that I'm sounding increasingly like my mother, and new slang words like "on fleek" are foreign to me. Oh, those youths.

As much as I would like to stay in my 26-year-old body and not age a day more, I know that with age comes memories and wisdom that I am not willing to part with.

Turning 27 means that my idea of a perfect Friday night is enjoying a craft beer and good conversation, rather than pulling a ping pong ball out of my drink. Turning a year older means that I have come to value quality - whether it be in clothing or friendship.

Getting older isn't all bad.

Am I doing this right?

I do freak out sometimes when I realize I'm not anywhere close to what 27 is "supposed" to look like (especially in Midwest America).

I don't have a house or an active 401K, and there's certainly no baby on the way. I don't own a car, a nice duvet, or even a waffle maker.

And I have made peace with that.

It's not to say that I won't still have those moments of anxiety-inducing panic where I wonder, when the hell am I going to start my life?

I still have those thoughts on a daily basis. But then I realize that the idea of settling down right now panics me more than wrinkles do, and my heartbeat slows to its normal pace.

And I know, I know... twenty-seven isn't very old in the big picture of life. But I think turning a year older can be scary at any age. You not only have your peers to measure yourself against, but also the dreams you had for yourself at any age.

Am I exactly where I thought I would be at 27? In one word, no.

But that's probably a good thing.

I sometimes need to remind myself that life doesn't start with the purchase of a house or a career that is deemed "successful" in the eyes of society.

The reality is my life has started, and I feel more alive now than ever before.

Hey 27, you're beginning to look alright...

As I was reflecting on the past year, I wrote down some of my favorite memories and was flooded with gratitude.

I am surrounded by the most supportive people, and have had the opportunity to chase my dreams around the world with my best friend.

I've gotta say, I am pretty damn lucky.

This past year has been one of the best of my life. Twenty-six was a year of side-splitting laughter, moments of awe, and diving into the unknown. I've lived more outside of my comfort zone than in it, and have learned things about myself I never knew.

If this next year is anything like 26, then I am okay with getting older.

There, I said it.

I'm ready for you, twenty-seven.

And instead of spending this year comparing myself to what I "should" be doing at this age, I will try to focus my energy on being the best version of 27 I can be.

26 Memories of 26

After an adventure-filled year, I am convinced that the key to youth is to leave your comfort zone and try something that would make your "yesterday self" gasp!

So here they are... 26 gasp-worthy moments:

1. Hiked the Inca trail and ended at the ruins of Machu Picchu on my 26th birthday. It was a pretty epic way to celebrate.

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Two Wandering Soles

Two Wandering Soles is a fun, inspiring and award-winning travel blog created by Katie and Ben, a couple who is passionate about responsible and adventurous travel around the world. Find travel tips and money-saving advice for eco-friendly and sustainable travel on any budget.

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